Full-Court Press: 2013 Gov. Cup preview - San Mig Coffee vs Petron

The top-seeded Petron Blaze Boosters take on the second-ranked San Mig Coffee Mixers starting Friday, in the best-of-seven PBA Governors' Cup Finals series. Despite being sister squads, don't expect either of these teams to hold back, as they boast of a rich rivalry. We asked four of our PBA experts for their thoughts on this series, plus, their pick for BPC.

[Infographic: Petron Blaze vs San Mig Coffee]

1. Who deserves to be the Best Player of the Conference?

Polo Bustamante, From the Stands, contributor to GMA News Online - LA Tenorio, hands down. He may not have gotten as far as other contenders but he's playing the best basketball of his career. He wrestled away the best point guard title from Talk 'N Text's Jayson Castro with his performance this conference. Tenorio should win the BPC and strengthen his case for the MVP.

Renee Fopalan, writer, GMA News Online - Arwind Santos. Petronovela started because they couldn't figure out how to win with the pieces they had. But now, Arwind still is the steady foundation of the franchise, but he's producing numbers while giving the rest of the team chances to shine.

Carlo Pamintuan, sports desk editor, GMA News Online - It's a weird conference to name a BPC, as LA Tenorio, the leader in statistical points, saw his team eliminated in the quarterfinals. In my opinion, the BPC's team should make it at least to the semis to get the honor. It's also weird because three members of the Petron Blaze Boosters are in the top five, but I'm going with June Mar Fajardo, because the big man elevated his game this conference.

Chuck Araneta, From the Stands, contributor to GMA News Online - Give it to the Kraken, June Mar Fajardo. His stint in Gilas has done wonders for his confidence, and simply being around Beau Belga, Ranidel de Ocampo and Marc Pingris has made him a better player. When he came back to Petron, he returned a more assertive, imposing and intimidating presence on the floor. His elevated game has made everyone around him better. His new hairstyle, on the other hand, has not.
 
 

 
 

2. Imports aside, does Petron or SMC have the better roster from top to bottom?

Polo - No questions about it, Petron is much deeper. They can easily go 10 deep with talented guys like Chris Lutz and Marcio Lassiter coming off the bench. This is not to say SMC isn't talented, but the injury to Allein Maliksi was a huge blow to the depth of the Mixers.

Renee - I'm going with Petron. Four out of the top-10 scorers in the conference are part of their arsenal, specifically Marcio Lassiter, Arwind Santos, Alex Cabagnot and June Mar Fajardo.

Carlo - On paper, Petron has the far deeper roster. I think the two teams could have been pretty even if Allein Maliksi wasn't injured though. The point guard and center rotations for both teams look even, but Petron's wings are too talented. James Yap and a struggling PJ Simon will have a hard time matching up with Petron's three-headed beast, Marcio Lassiter, Chris Lutz, and Ronald Tubid.

Chuck - It's a common verse that once Petron figures out what to do with this embarrassment of riches they bring to the floor, they'll be unstoppable. Petron can bring out their second five and still do battle with any squad in the PBA today. That's how deep the Blaze Boosters are. However, one mistake, bad loss or even disagreement can erase the highly coveted chemistry they're experiencing today.

The Mixers, however, are the exact opposite. This is a team that's been together for so long, they probably know what brand of instant noodles each one had for breakfast. They stick together when they're down, encourage other and have each other's backs. Just simply on name recognition, Petron has this in the bag. The Mixers, on the other hand, recognize what makes them great and trust each other.
 

 
 

 
 

[Related:  Petron’s Gee Abanilla – a quiet coach for a ferocious team]

3. Is Tim Cone vs Gee Abanilla a coaching mismatch?

Polo - Before the conference started, I would have said that Cone would coach circles around Abanilla. Not anymore. Abanilla has shortened his rotation, utilized role players well and is filtering Purves' ideas to match his own. Abanilla can hold his own against the more established Cone.

Renee - Not at all. Perhaps Gee is the Anti-Cone in the sense that his system is not as rigid. Good coaching, after all, is not just about coaching well and all the time. It is also about knowing when to pull back and let the players play. Abanilla recognizes what he has, and with his solid staff, he can take on Cone.

Carlo - If the two coaches held the same team, coach Tim Cone will have more success. He is more experienced and he has more tricks up his sleeve. But Gee Abanilla has a full deck of cards to play with. He does not need to be fancy about his moves because his team is so stacked. Abanilla versus Yeng Guiao was also supposed to be a mismatch, as Guiao is actually Abanilla's mentor, but look how that series turned out.

Chuck - If there's one thing that last conference's semifinals between Alaska and San Mig Coffee showed, it's that the coach's experience doesn't necessarily translate into wins. It's about preparation, adjustment and player trust. While Tim Cone is a brand name and has seen probably 90 percent of all in-game situations devised, Gee Abanilla has masterfully transformed Petron into a Blue and Red Death Machine. This is by no means a coaching mismatch; in fact, Abanilla will surprise many fans and experts, when all is said and done.
 
 

 
 

4. Who's been the better import, Marqus Blakely or Elijah Millsap?

Polo - Both players are stat-sheet stuffers who do so many things for their team. Millsap is more talented and more polished offensively, but Blakely is just so hard-working and relentless. This is going to be an epic match-up between the two leading candidates for the Best Import Award.

Renee - Blakely is the better import. Fajardo and Kramer are there to clog the lane though, so his makes around the basket may diminish. Also, since it's going to be a physical series, so it doesn't help that he makes less than half of his free throws.

Carlo - Elijah Millsap is the better all-around player, but both imports are exactly what their teams need. Marqus Blakely's free throw shooting percentage doesn't help his case, but he's just too good everywhere else for this to be a mismatch. That said, I think Millsap will be winning the Best Import award.

Chuck - I think because of everything Blakely has done for the Mixers, he's been the better import for his team. His intimidating, shot-blocking, and slam-dunking presence has had a considerable impact on opposing front courts. Elijah Millsap has just been smooth, a scoring, creating, rebounding and fast break starting and finishing dynamo for Petron. But while he's been a tremendous asset for Petron, Blakely is irreplaceable for the Mixers.
 
 

 
 

[The FTW Governors' Cup Finals preview]

5. What's your prediction for this series?

Polo -  The big difference in this match-up will be June Mar Fajardo. I don't see anyone in SMC being able to match-up to Petron's young stud in the middle. This is going to be a tough series, no less than six games. But ultimately, Fajardo will be the edge that Petron will utilize to win the championship.

Renee - Petron in 6. Blakely will win one for SMC out of sheer will, and the Mixers will win another because of pride, but Petron will take the title home.

Carlo - Most of the Petron fans and players think this is going to be an easy series because of their dominance in the elimination round. However, I think that among the nine other PBA teams, the Mixers are the most equipped to give them a good fight. I think this will be a long series going six or seven games, but in the end, the Boosters' depth will be too much to handle for the Mixers.

Chuck - Petron in seven games. You just don't walk over San Mig Coffee. You'll have to bleed, fight and deserve every win against those men. Where I believe Petron has a distinct advantage is in the backcourt, with Marcio Lassiter, Chris Lutz, Alex Cabagnot and Ronald Tubid as proven commodities. Pingris and Blakely will work together to negate Fajardo, so it's up to James Yap, Mark Barroca and Alex Mallari to win their battles.